22 Best Free Online Writing Courses [April 2025 Update]

Our Favorite Free Online Writing Course

Writing in the Sciences

This is a beginner level course in English and has subtitles in 10 different languages. The object of the course is to teach scientists to become more eloquent writer using examples and exercises and the course covers principals of good writing, how to write faster with ease, the proper format for Scientific manuscripts, peer review, grant writing, ethics in scientific publications and writing for people in general. You will cover in week 1, key principals, and cutting clutter from your writings. In week 2 you will use powerful verbs and how to write in active voice and how to get the main verb in a sentence more readily. In the 3 week, teaches variable sentence structure and punctuation correctly. The 4^th week covers the simplifying of the writing process and getting you more organized. Week 5, covers the scientific manuscript including formatting tables and figures and writing results and methods. In week 6 you will cover ethics and peer review, avoiding plagiarism. Week 7 will cover how to write review papers, grant requests, and letters of recommendation as well as personal essays. Finally, the last week covers communications with broader ordinances and how to work with the media. Skills Acquired: Grammar, Medical Writing, Science Communication, Writing. Duration: Approx 30 hours over 8 weeks. Rating: 4.9/97

What are the Top Free Online Writing Courses

After much research on all online Writing Courses on offer, we have found the top 22 Writing courses to make it easier for you to choose

22 Write Your First Novel

Write Your First Novel

This beginner level course is in English and has subtitles in different languages. If you ever dreamed of writing novel and needed some guidance then this course will help you step by step. By the end of the course you will have the opportunity of writing your first novel. You will learn how to form a basic idea into a structure that will allow the creation, writing, and completion of a novel ready for publication. Coursera’s privacy policy protects your IP so your original work is protected. You will break down your creation into the components and uncover the process to accomplish a full length work of fiction in around 50 000 words. The lectures are short and precise to guide you, inspire you, and to teach you through your own activity. As a taster the first few weeks you will be learning: Creating the idea of your novel; Create your character profiles and outline chapter1; Week 3 you will write chapter 1; In week 4 chapter 2; there are videos to inspire and instruct every week. Skills Acquired: Creative Writing, Novel Writing, Storytelling. Duration: Approx 127 hours over 26 weeks

Rating: 4.3/95%

21 Memoir and Personal Essay:Write About Yourself Specialization

Memoir and Personal Essay:Write About Yourself Specialization

This specialization in English with subtitles in 9 different languages at a beginner level, will teach you how to write about yourself in such a way as to encourage others to want to read it. Masters of Memoir writing and personal essay writing will share tips, exercises, readings, and challengers to keep your imagination, construction and writing well challenged as you write adsorbing pieces of non-fiction’s personal narrative. This specialization consists of 16 writing assignments through the 4 courses and from reading others’ work you will develop your tools to start writing the story of your life. The applied project is for those who opt for the paid option. There are 4 courses in this specialization which can be completed in any order. Skills Acquired: Creativity, Writing, Non-fiction Writing, Storytelling, Essay Writing, English Language, Creative Writing, and Memoir. Duration: Approx 4 month, 2 hours per week- 4 courses. Rating:4.4

20 Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Films or Television

Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film or Television

The course is a beginner level in English and has subtitles in 8 different languages. This course will encourage your writing and completion of a full feature length screenplay for either film or television. The course will teach you to break down the creative process into its parts and you will learn a process which allows you to produce a pitch-ready script by the end of the course. This course is based on active learning and will release your inner creativity. The process will be as per a writers room where you and your peers on the course will review each others work, share feed back, amend your work with feedback received. No prior experience is required and a basic word processing program is all you will need. In week 2 you can opt to download a free script writing program such as Celtx or Trelby, or you may decide to purchase Final Draft. By the end of the course you will have a feature film screenplay in your hand. Skills Acquired: Script Writing, Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Film and Television Writing, Creative Writing. Duration: Approx 93 hours over 20 weeks. Rating: 4.5/95%

19 Learn English:Writing Effectively with Complex Sentences Specialization

Learn English:Writing Effectively with Complex Sentences Specialization

The course is an intermediate level in English only. This specialization will assist any student of the English language with writing sentences of greater complexity. The 3 courses in bodied in this specialization will teach you to identify adverb, adjective, and noun clauses and how to avoid making mistakes that are easily made with each type. Further, the course teaches the use of 3 types of complex sentences to express ideas in a sophisticated manner. These 3 courses can be done in any particular order and the hands-on project forms part of the paid course. Skills Acquired: writing Effectively, Complexed Sentences and Adverbs, Adjectives and Nouns. Duration: Approx 3 months, 3 hours per week – 3 courses. Rating: 4.6

This course is beginner level in English and has subtitles in 9 different languages. It is recommended that earlier you require excellent academic research and writing skills the more successful you will be in both university and profession. You will learn academic writing convention and the benefits of process writing. You will put together a toolbox of skills and have an opportunity to test them and so reflect on your development as a writer. The course covers generic skills which you can apply to meet the unique needs of your own discipline. The course covers 4 sections: Writing in English at University level; Structuring your text and conveying argument; using sources in academic writing, and finally the writers toolbox. Each section provides video lectures, reading assignments and various assignments as well as some peer review exercises. On registration you will have access to a free electronic textbook to compliment the course: English at University; A guide for Second Language Writers. Skills Acquired: Writing, Academic Writing, Research, Editing and Proofreading. Duration: Approx 24 hours over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.6/99%

15 Good with Words:Writing and Editing Specialization

Good with Words:Writing and Editing Specialization

This course is in English with Subtitles in 10 different languages. It is a beginner level course. To improve your effectiveness as a student or a professional in any career become good with words. This specialization targets the liking side of that recommendation and focuses on how to arrange complex sets of information in an easy to read way, and how to give and receive good quality feedback and how to consistently work within deadlines. If you wish to earn the certificate you need to complete a project before which you will need to complete or the prior courses in the specialization. The 4 courses in this specialization are: Word choice and word order, structure and organization, drafting and revising. Skills Acquired: Persuasion, Creativity, Writing, Time Management, and Editing

Duration: Approx 4 months, 4 hours per week – 4 courses. Rating: 4.7

14 Creative Writing Specialization

Creative Writing Specialization

This course is in English and has subtitles in 11 different languages. It is a beginner level course covering the elements of short story, narritive essay, and memoirs. You will master techniques to compose stories with interestilng characters in dynamic settings written in a fresh descioptive style. This course is for anyone intersted or passionate about short story writing and detrmined to complete a story.This specialization will give you the tools to achieve your goal. The 4 courses each focus on an aspect of writing and can be done in any order. There ar 4 courses in the specialization covering: The Craft of the Plot, The Craft of Character, The Craft of Setting and Description and finally, the Craft of Style. If you are prepared to pay for the course there will be a project whlere you will receive advise from peers regarding your story. Skills Acquired: Short Storytelling, Fiction Writing, Creativity, Coy Writing. Duration: Approx 6 months, 1 hour per week – 5 courses. Rating; 4.7

13 Better Business Writing in English

Better Business Writing in English

This course is a beginner level course in English with subtitles in 9 different languages. This course will give you the tools to write more easily and effectively in English. You will portray your own voice in your writing and learn to plan and produce clear and understandable text. You will also acquire the skills to communicate in covering letters, mission and vision statements, proposals, instructions and reports. You will learn the art of organizing design and writing understandable short text for Power, Point, Productions. The skills you will learn include choosing the right noun and noun modifier: Choosing the correct verb form and tense and the writing of clauses and sentences. The lectures are supplemented with other resources and practices to gain the skills and confidence to write well in your professional and business requirements. Skills Acquired: Business Writing, Letter Writing, Power point Presentations, and Reports and Proposals.Duration: Approx 14 hours over 4 weeks

Rating: 4.7/96%

12 Creative Writing:The Craft of Plot

Creative Writing:The Craft of Plot

This course is in English and has subtitles in 11 different languages. For any inspiring writer the most challenging part of any story is the plot. This course will introduce you to solve the problem. Learn what keeps a plot moving, how it can be used to manipulate feelings, expectations and desires. You will research the choices storytellers make to grab our imagination and attention to bring us into their fictional world and keep us there. The course teaches you how to outline and structure your plot, it discusses pacing and reversals to reveal the inevitable surprise. Thus, connecting the beginning, the middle, and the end. Skills Acquired: Short Story Writing, Fiction Writing, Creativity, and Copy Editing . Duration: Approx 6 hours over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.7/96%

11 Grammar and Punctuation

Grammar and Punctuation

This course is in English and has subtitles in 10 different languages. This is course 1 of academic English: Writing Specialization. This course is an overview of English grammar which will help you to remember the grammar you once studied. It also refresher your good writing tools and will prepare you for any other future courses. Writing is best learnt thorough practice. In this course there are short video lectures followed by practice. On completion of the course you will know the correct verb tense to use, be able to use commas correctly and use several sentence types result in more effective English. The course syllabus covers introduction, Verb Tenses and Conjunctions, Compound and Complex sentences and finally, more commas, parallel structure, and sentence variety. Skills Acquired: English Grammar, Punctuation, Grammar Writing. Duration: Approx 17 hour over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.7/96%

10 Advanced Writing

Advanced Writing

The course is in English and is part of the academic English: Writing Specialization. The course has subtitles in 11 different languages. This course will prepare you for college level work by raising your level of academic writing. This course will teach you to plan and write a sophisticate argument essay and show you how to identify plagiarism and how to prevent it. You will be shown how to read and analyse articles to formulate your opinion on a topic and how to make connections between articles. You will then learn how to form a thesis from these articles and then how to write an essay. The syllabus covers an Introduction, Advantage Argument Essays, Avoided Plagiarism and synthesis essay and finally, the documented essay. Skills Acquired: Essay Writing, Academic Writing, Creative Writing, and Writing. Duration: Approx 20 hours over 5 weeks. Rating: 4.7/98%

09 Writing your World:Finding yourself in the academic space

Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space

The course is in English and has subtitles in 4 different languages. It is a beginner level. Writing expresses, records and creates meaningful moments, but in academic circles it is the bridge between ourselves and ideas. This course teaches you to write an academic essay and develops the skills required to be a competent academic writer. In the course you will engage with academic texts to visualize how these texts are used to construct an academic essay. Some hurdles students face regarding academic writing will be addressed and offer you a suitable place to practice and develop your own style. The course centers around the identity concept as it is important how we locate ourselves in our constantly changing world. If you are considering further studies or just want to enhance your academic writing skills, then this course is ideal. Skills Acquired: Academic Writing, Writing, and Academic Essay. Duration: Approx 19 hours over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.7/98%

08 Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order

Writing and Editing:Word Choice and Word Order

This course is in English and has subtitles in 8 different languages. This course teaches persuasive writing and teaches creative ways to use syntax, techniques for storytelling, and clever methods for arranging complex information. You will also be taught advanced punctuation and how to add style and sophistication to the crafting of anything from sentences to slogans. There is access to a wide range of books and resources which you will have continued access to even after completion of the course and include the readings and exercises, 2 digital libraries of writing from a collection of diverse writers and a monthly (Good Sentences) email. It is 1 of 4 courses in the Good With Words: Writing and Editing specialization.Importantly what you will learn, is how the words u]you choose can change the decisions people make, and you will learn to write with originality and produce very unique sentences. Skills Acquired: Persuasion, Creativity, Writing, Time Management, and editing. Duration: Approx 20 hours over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.7/98%

07 Writing for Young Readers:Opening the Treasure Chest

Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest

This course is in English and has subtitles in 9 different languages. If you are a curious or an aspiring author with a desire to write for your readers then this is your course. You will experiment with your own writing and develop your own voice. You will be guided through videos and readings. If you take the paid option there will be peer reviews and guest appearances from world renowned authors of childrens’ books. Working through the exercises you will gain tools and techniques to improve your writing. In the course you will identify and choose stories of importance to you, explore cultural importance and boundaries, and create your own writing personality. You will learn the elements of narrative (setting, plot, characters, theme, language, pint of view, and dialogue). Through the course you will reflect on your work and practice self-editing skills and you will learn different ways to interact words and art. You will come away with publishing options and create a plan for continued writing. By the conclusion of the course you will have approximately a dozen extracts of writings to develop into a portfolio. Skills Acquired: Writing, Writing stories for children. Duration: Approx 13.hours over 5 week. Rating: 4.7/99%

06 Learn English:Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Specialization

Learn English:Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Specialization

This course is an advanced level in English and had subtitles in 9 different languages. This specialization includes advanced grammar concepts like noun clauses and conditionals. You will also learn to blend verb tenses effectively and very importantly, how to punctuate sentences correctly. This series of courses is especially useful for non-native English speakers who want to improve on their fluency or native speakers improving their own language accuracy. You can begin with any course you would like to start with and continue in no special order and for the paid option there is hands-on project to earn your certificate. The courses include: Verb Tenses and Passives; Conjunctions, Connectives, and adverb clauses; Noun clauses and Conditionals; and finally, Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Project. Skills Acquired: English Grammar, Punctuation, Grammar, English Language, Perfect Tenses. Duration: Approx 5 months, 5 hours per week – 4 courses. Rating: 4.8

05 Effective Communication:Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization

Effective Communication:Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization

The course is in English and has subtitles in 8 different languages. For many students that have already taken this course some say that this is a life-changing specialization and others say it is essential for everyone to do. This course is essential to hone your written, visual, and verbal presentation skills. You will write clear well organized business documentation; design concise presentation slides, reports and posters; and to present your presentations with powerful confident speech. If you take the paid option the Capstone Project you will develop a portfolio which includes a memo, a slide deck, and a presentation to showcase your newly acquired skills and to represent your personal brand. Finally, you will learn how having excellence in communication gives you the ability to put your best self forward in everything you do. There is no specific order in taking the courses and you can begin with the one that is of greatest importance to you. Skills Acquired: Business Writing, Presentation, Graphic Design, Writing, Grammar, Communication, Graphics, Typography, Public Speaking, and Communication Design. Duration: Approx 5 months, 4 hours per week – 4 courses

Rating: 4.8

04 Academic English:Writing Specialization

Academic English:Writing Specialization

This course is in a specialization course in academic English with subtitles in 14 different languages. It is a beginner level. Within the skills taught here you will be empowered to succeed in any professional endeavour or college course. You will be taught how to conduct substantial research and then express your ideas clearly in an academic manner. The 5 courses in this specialization cover: Grammar and Punctuation, Getting Started with Essay Writing, Advanced Writing, and Introduction to Research for Essay Writing. If you want to get the certificate and do the Capstone project for this specialization you will need to take the paid option. Skills Acquired: Punctuation, Essay Writing, Academic Writing, Writing, English Grammar, Grammar, Creative Writing. Duration: Approx 6 months, 4 hours per week – 5 courses. Rating: 4.8

03 Writing and Editing:Structure and Organization

Writing and Editing:Structure and Organization

The course is in English and has subtitles in 8 different languages. It is a beginner level. This course will teach you to become an effective presenter of information both with your sentences and with your paragraphs. You will learn that show and tell is the way skilled writers actually present information. Further, you will also learn time management techniques “Deep Work”, “Studio Time”, and “The Animal Farm Principal”. The course also includes access to books and resources including the readings and exercises provided to you, 2 digital libraries of writing, broad genre of writers and finally, a monthly “Good Sentences” email. What you will learn is how structure generates content, the placing of corresponding ideas in corresponding froms, the use of anadiplosis (where the last word or phrase of one clause, sentence, or line is repeated at the beginning of the next sentence). Finally, you will learn to identify and access when to use varying lengths of sentence. Skills Acquired: Persuasion, Creativity, Writing, Time Management,and Editing. Duration: Approx 16 overs over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.8/98%

02 Business Writing

Business Writing

This course is in English and has subtitles in 8 different languages. It is a beginner level course. To develop a successful career in the business world, probably the most import skill to develop is writing well. This course has been of benefit to people who are professional writers, to non-native English speakers to long standing executives. You will be taught the top principals of good business writing and how to apply it to your work and you will be given some tools to vastly upgrade your writing. You will be taught how to organize, structure and revise your communication to a masterful level. Application of what you have learnt will happen after your very first lesson. The aim of the course it so help you to write clearly and highly effectively. Through the course you will cover:Building Great Business Writing, The Formula for Writing Success, Crafting Powerful Writing, and Activate Your Voice. The instruction medium is through videos and readings. Skills Acquired: Grammar, Communication, Business Writing, and Writing. Duration: Approx 13 hours over 4 weeks. Rating: 4.8/98%

01 Writing in the Sciences

Writing in the Sciences
This is a beginner level course in English and has subtitles in 10 different languages. The object of the course is to teach scientists to become more eloquent writer using examples and exercises and the course covers principals of good writing, how to write faster with ease, the proper format for Scientific manuscripts, peer review, grant writing, ethics in scientific publications and writing for people in general. You will cover in week 1, key principals, and cutting clutter from your writings. In week 2 you will use powerful verbs and how to write in active voice and how to get the main verb in a sentence more readily. In the 3 week, teaches variable sentence structure and punctuation correctly. The 4^th week covers the simplifying of the writing process and getting you more organized. Week 5, covers the scientific manuscript including formatting tables and figures and writing results and methods. In week 6 you will cover ethics and peer review, avoiding plagiarism. Week 7 will cover how to write review papers, grant requests, and letters of recommendation as well as personal essays. Finally, the last week covers communications with broader ordinances and how to work with the media. Skills Acquired: Grammar, Medical Writing, Science Communication, Writing. Duration: Approx 30 hours over 8 weeks. Rating: 4.9/97